Never compromise on road safety

Every death on Australian roads is a tragedy.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. This holiday period, the Australian Government urges drivers to choose road safety – whether you are buckling up for a drive or walking close to a road.

Over Christmas, we know there is an increase of road usage as people enjoy the festive season.

Nearly 1,200 people have been killed on Australian roads in the year ending in October this year, a 6 per cent increase of road deaths compared to the previous 12 months.

Fifty-three Tasmanians have been killed on our roads in the past 12 months (ending November 2022). This is a 60.6% increase on road deaths in 2021.

We are urging motorists to be extra cautious on rural and regional roads. Those roads, as well as some in urban areas have suffered extensively from recent floods, meaning drivers should drive with the expectation that roads will be damaged.

Almost two-thirds of road deaths each year happen on rural and regional roads. Although it is easy to blame the concentration of rural road deaths on visitors, we know locals are just as vulnerable to being killed or seriously injured.

So, whether you forgot to grab some cream for the pav’ or heading on a road trip, think before you drive.

Is your car safe to drive? Are you safe to be behind the wheel or are you too tired to be driving? Are your loved ones buckled up? Is everything secure? Have you planned your journey if you are driving an unfamiliar route?

Remember, whenever you are close to a road to know your surroundings and act accordingly. Tragically, people outside of vehicles often fall victim to road trauma.

Drive to the conditions; drive so others survive.

My message could not be clearer – wear a seat belt, don’t drink and drive, stop and rest if you’re tired and importantly, slow down on rural and regional roads and don’t speed.

National Road Safety Data – 12 months to November 2022:

• 46.3% of road users killed were drivers
• 20.7% of road users killed were motorcycle riders
• 14.9% of road users killed were a passenger
• 13.9% of road users killed were pedestrians
• 3.1% of road users killed were cyclists
• 1.1% were killed in unknown circumstances